The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Jan. 3 that it will award $306 million to continue its H5N1 Avian Flu response. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s assessment of the risk of avian influenza to the general public remains low, USDA and HHS plan to collaborate with federal, state, local, industry and other stakeholders to protect human health, animal health and food safety, a release said.
“While the risk to humans remains low, we are always preparing for any possible scenario that could arise. These investments are critical to continuing our disease surveillance, laboratory testing, and monitoring efforts alongside our partners at USDA,” Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a release. “Preparedness is the key to keeping Americans healthy and our country safe. We will continue to ensure our response is strong, well equipped, and ready for whatever is needed.”
Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response said it will award approximately $183 million in additional funding for regional, state and local preparedness programs:
- $90 million to the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP)
- $10 million to the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC)
- $26 million to the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs)
- $43 million to the Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (SPTCs) Avian Influenza Preparedness and Response Activities
- $14 million to replenish equipment and supply caches for the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)
CDC will award approximately $111 million in funding for additional enhancements to our ability to monitor H5N1 at the local, state and national levels:
- $103 million to jurisdictions for increased monitoring of individuals exposed to infected animals, testing, and outreach to high-risk populations (such as livestock workers)
- $8 million to manufacture, store, and distribute additional influenza diagnostic test kits for virologic surveillance
National Institutes of Health will award approximately $11 million in funding for additional research into potential medical countermeasures for H5N1:
- $11 million to the Centers for Excellence for Influenza Research and Response contracts
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